System and method for automatic adjustment of fluoroscopic imaging using a motorized collimator

ABSTRACT

X-ray imaging systems and methods comprising, at least, an x-ray source, an x-ray detector, and a collimator assembly. The collimator assembly comprising a computer, a display, a camera, an x-ray source to object (patient) measuring device to measure source to object distance (SOD), and a plurality of metallic barriers used to manipulate a size and shape of X-ray beams, thereby also reducing the volume of irradiated tissue in the patient. The collimator may comprise computer-controlled motorized shutters to admit radiation into the region defined by the adjustable beam-defining components of the collimator of an X-ray apparatus. In some embodiments, the plurality of metallic barriers may be a fixed cone, or a cone comprised of movable plates.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of, and priority to U.S. provisionalapplication 63/014,703 titled, “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FLUOROSCOPICIMAGING ALIGNMENT USING A MOTORIZED COLLIMATOR” filed on Apr. 24, 2020,the entire specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Art

The disclosure as detailed herein is in the technical field of medicine.More specifically, the present disclosure relates to the technical fieldof fluoroscopic imaging.

Discussion of the State of the Art

Modern medical facilities, such as hospitals or emergency carefacilities, are often large and complex organizations. A medicalfacility may be organized into various departments or branches thatspecialize in a particular type of patient care or expertise. Forexample, a medical facility may have a radiology department that handlesvarious medical imaging tasks such as computed tomography (CT) systems,radiation systems (including both conventional and digital or digitizedimaging systems), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems, PositronEmission Tomography (PET) systems, ultrasound systems, nuclear medicinesystems, and the like. Such systems provide invaluable tools foridentifying, diagnosing, and treating physical conditions and greatlyreduce the need for surgical diagnostic intervention. In many instances,these modalities complement one another and offer the physician a rangeof techniques for imaging particular types of tissue, organs,physiological systems, and so forth. However, patients requiringradiation, for example, must often be transported to the radiologydepartment or even a separate and geographically distant imaging center.This can present additional delays, costs, and inconveniences to thepatient and the practitioners.

Digital imaging systems are becoming increasingly widespread forproducing digital data that can be reconstructed into usefulradiographic images. In one application of a digital imaging system,radiation from a source is directed toward a subject, typically apatient in a medical diagnostic application, and a portion of theradiation passes through the subject and impacts a detector.

A number of devices have been conceived to address the needs to alignthe X-ray source to the detector of portable and mobile x-ray imagingsystems, including developments in portable and mobile units, detectors,and related digital imaging features. For example, US Publication No.2008/7344305B2 invented by Kuzmanovic, et al, discloses a method andsystem are providing for performing X-ray diagnostic imaging using acamera image controlled to image a field of view (FOV), that issubstantially coincident and coplanar with a radiation footprint or FOVof an X-ray beam radiated towards a patient under examination. Themethod and system includes acquiring a camera image with a collimatedFOV to an X-ray beam FOV before X-ray imaging a patient, displaying thecamera image and adjusting the collimation and patient positioning todefine the X-ray beam FOV based on the displayed camera image beforeX-ray imaging the patient. The use of a video camera instead of a lightsource and mirror to provide a means to visualize the collimated area ofthe x-ray beam exists in the prior art as described by Kuzmanovic (U.S.Pat. No. 7,344,305 B2). Kuzmanovic teaches the use of a retractablevideo camera that can be inserted into the central axis of the x-raybeam to create an image through the collimator blades. This image whendisplayed on a monitor shows the FOV of the collimated X-ray beam areaof the patient being exposed. The operator can then adjust thecollimator blades to provide the desired area of exposure using theimage captured by the camera in real-time. Once the desired area isobtained, the camera is retracted from the beam and an x-ray image canbe acquired.

The use of a retractable video camera positioned on the central axis ofthe x-ray beam does have the advantage that the image it acquires isdefined by the position or aperture of the collimator blades, such theacquired images displayed on a monitor are substantially coincident andcoplanar with a radiation footprint or FOV of the collimated X-ray beamradiated towards a patient under examination. The problem ordisadvantage with this approach is that the user only has the collimatedFOV provided by the camera collimated image to assist with visuallypositioning the radiation beam to the anatomic region being examined.The light source/mirror provides the user the benefit of a projectedlight field image displayed on the patient that is substantiallycoincident and coplanar with a radiation footprint or FOV of thecollimated X-ray beam radiated towards a patient under examination. Theuser can view the projected light image and position the lighted imageto the region of interest (ROI) with the normally used patient bodylandmarks to position the projected light field to the anatomic regionbeing examined.

Further, despite advances in the art, there remain significantshortcomings in existing systems used for mobile diagnostic imaging.Current mobile radiography/fluoroscopic imaging systems are cumbersomeand expensive. These mobile systems normally incorporate a fixed,mechanical C-arm, or other mechanical configuration which connects theradiation source and the detector to one another, in order tomechanically fix the detector relative to the Radiation source toprevent misalignment outside of normally government-regulated,pre-determined tolerances. In addition, the spatial location of thedetector is not always known relative to the Radiation source, as is thecase in fixed, permanent digital radiography/fluoroscopic (DR) imagingsystems. Especially when the subject to be imaged is very fragile orlargely immobile, the need continues to exist for mobile systems whichcomply with applicable regulations.

Further, systems known in the art use of a retractable video camerapositioned on the central axis of the x-ray beam to display acquiredimages on a monitor that are substantially coincident and coplanar witha radiation footprint or FOV of the collimated X-ray beam radiatedtowards a patient under examination. A disadvantage with this approachis that the user only has the collimated FOV provided by the cameracollimated image to assist with visually positioning the radiation beamto the anatomic region being examined. A further disadvantage of systemsknown in the art comprising a light source and mirror system is thatthey must provide protection for a larger area with metal barriers (thatis, the larger area to accommodate the light source and mirror) in thet. A larger head unit results in a heavy top portion of a portableradiation system creating high center of gravity resulting in acumbersome and potentially dangerous situation when in movement.

What is needed in the art are systems and methods for providing an imagethat is substantially within the same FOV of the patient as thecalculated active area of the detector and an overlay shaded area withinthe image that is substantially within the same FOV of the radiationbeam with the shaded area representing a collimated area of thecollimator based on shutter position, the shaded area further operableto change position based on interaction from an interactive display andhave the collimator shutters respond to changes in position whilecreating an environment whereby a smaller area within the head unit ispresent, to reduce the amount and weight of the metal barrier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the inventor has conceived and reduced to practice, in apreferred embodiment of the invention, an X-ray imaging systemcomprising, at least, an x-ray source, an x-ray detector, and acollimator assembly. The collimator assembly comprises, at least, acomputer, a display, a camera, an x-ray source to object (patient)measuring device to measure source to object distance (SOD), and aplurality of metallic barriers controllable via the network, with anadjustable aperture used to manipulate a size, shape, and location ofX-ray beams, thereby also reducing the volume of irradiated tissue inthe patient. The collimator may comprise computer-controlled motorizedshutters to define a collimated area that admits radiation into theregion defined by the adjustable beam-defining components of thecollimator of an X-ray apparatus. In some embodiments, the plurality ofmetallic barriers may be a fixed cone, or a cone comprised of movableplates.

Filtration and collimation of the X-ray beam are important safetymeasures. In a preferred embodiment, the camera may provide an imagethat is substantially within the same FOV of the patient as thecalculated active area of the detector. Further, the camera may provideindicia (for example, overlay a shaded area. Hereinafter the indiciaalso referred to as shaded area) within the camera image that representsubstantially the same FOV as the shutter aperture size and location(also referred to herein as collimated area).

The computer may use the known position and size of the shutter apertureand the SOD information to calculate and adjust a size and position ofthe shaded area within the camera image of patient with respect to theactive area of detector. By viewing the camera images, the operator orclinician (also referred to herein as user) may determine directly,particularly during pre-examination alignment, whether the radiationbeam is aligned to the anatomic region that will be irradiated. That is,the camera provides a FOV of the radiation beam overlayed on an image ofthe patient, wherein the viewer immediately knows if the FOV haschanged, or needs to be changed by patient and/or collimatorrealignment, etc. The method of examination in accordance with anembodiment of the invention is different from conventional patient oralignment imaging, and diagnostic imaging methods. By use of theinventive system and method, the clinician may realize improved patientthrough-put, reduced patient and/or clinician exposure to unnecessaryX-ray exposure, unnecessary discarded images and reduced dose levelsoverall due to improved collimator adjustment whilst complying withgovernmental regulations to provide means for visually defining theperimeter of the x-ray field.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inventivex-ray imaging system comprises an x-ray source for generating andcontrolling an X-ray beam radiated towards a patient under examination.The X-ray source comprises an X-ray tube, and x-ray collimator assembly.In a preferred embodiment, the collimator assembly comprises, at least,a camera, a computer, a distance measuring device (SOD), and aninteractive visual display. The camera may be arranged to image with anadjustable field of view (FOV) at a physical position of the X-ray beamand the patient that is substantially coincident with and at least aslarge as a maximum radiation pattern footprint or FOV of the radiatedX-ray beam. Both the radiated beam, and camera FOV are shaped and/orlimited by the collimator computer. The system comprises an X-rayimaging device arranged for receiving the X-ray beam after it has passedthrough the patient and acquiring latent image frames of a region ofinterest (ROI) within the patient's anatomy. One or more computerscommunicatively connected to the X-ray source, X-ray imaging device andcollimator computer controls latent image frame acquisition andpost-acquisition processing, including controlling the X-ray tube, x-rayimaging device and provides data to the collimator computer to adjustthe position and size of the radiation beam FOV and the position andsize of the shaded area within the camera image. The image processingchain comprising an image processor that is coupled to the systemcomputer receives the latent image frames from the X-ray imaging devicefor processing and a display device coupled to the image processingchain displays post-processed image frames as an X-ray diagnostic imageof the ROI.

The camera images may be displayed on the visual display during normalimaging operation, or display camera images only when the X-ray systemis in a pretest or physical set-up operation, wherein a position andsize of the collimator aperture is arranged to constrict the FOV of theX-ray beam and camera shaded area are substantially similarly. In apreferred embodiment, the camera is a video capable camera, and mostpreferably that the video camera is miniaturized. Of course, a focusingsystem that is included with the camera to focus the camera FOV such asthe available area that could be exposed when the collimator shuttersare fully opened and the shaded area within the FOV.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawings illustrate several embodiments of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention according to the embodiments. It will beappreciated by one skilled in the art that the particular embodimentsillustrated in the drawings are merely exemplary and are not to beconsidered as limiting of the scope of the invention or the claimsherein in any way.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardwarearchitecture of a computing device used in an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary logical architecturefor a client device, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an exemplary architectural arrangementof clients, servers, and external services, according to an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 4 is another block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardwarearchitecture of a computing device used in various embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary conceptualarchitecture of an alignment adjustment system, according to a preferredembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6A is a flow diagram illustrating a method for automaticallyadjusting collimator shutters, according to a preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 6B illustrates an exemplary method for border detection, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for creating a referenceimage according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8A illustrate an exemplary interactive display for receiving FOVimages and for providing input by a user, according to a preferredembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8B-8C are illustrations representing an image with a virtual bordercorresponding to a portable detector, according to a preferredembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8D are images illustrating a field of view of a patient with aregion of interest, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8E are images illustrating a field of view of a patient with aregion of interest, according to systems known in the art;

FIG. 9 is block diagram illustrating a system for mobile imaging,according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a conventional light source and mirror arrangementfor imaging, in accordance with systems known in the art;

FIG. 11A-11D illustrate components of a motorized collimator, accordingto a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12A-C is a block diagram illustrating a portable detector,according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventor has conceived, and reduced to practice, a system and methodfor fluoroscopic imaging using a motorized collimator.

One or more different inventions may be described in the presentapplication. Further, for one or more of the inventions describedherein, numerous alternative embodiments may be described; it should beappreciated that these are presented for illustrative purposes only andare not limiting of the inventions contained herein or the claimspresented herein in any way. One or more of the inventions may be widelyapplicable to numerous embodiments, as may be readily apparent from thedisclosure. In general, embodiments are described in sufficient detailto enable those skilled in the art to practice one or more of theinventions, and it should be appreciated that other embodiments may beutilized and that structural, logical, software, electrical and otherchanges may be made without departing from the scope of the particularinventions. Accordingly, one skilled in the art will recognize that oneor more of the inventions may be practiced with various modificationsand alterations. Particular features of one or more of the inventionsdescribed herein may be described with reference to one or moreparticular embodiments or figures that form a part of the presentdisclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specificembodiments of one or more of the inventions. It should be appreciated,however, that such features are not limited to usage in the one or moreparticular embodiments or figures with reference to which they aredescribed. The present disclosure is neither a literal description ofall embodiments of one or more of the inventions nor a listing offeatures of one or more of the inventions that must be present in allembodiments.

Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the titleof this patent application are for convenience only and are not to betaken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

Devices that are in communication with each other need not be incontinuous communication with each other, unless expressly specifiedotherwise. In addition, devices that are in communication with eachother may communicate directly or indirectly through one or morecommunication means or intermediaries, logical or physical.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communicationwith each other does not imply that all such components are required. Tothe contrary, a variety of optional components may be described toillustrate a wide variety of possible embodiments of one or more of theinventions and in order to more fully illustrate one or more aspects ofthe inventions. Similarly, although process steps, method steps,algorithms or the like may be described in a sequential order, suchprocesses, methods and algorithms may generally be configured to work inalternate orders, unless specifically stated to the contrary. In otherwords, any sequence or order of steps that may be described in thispatent application does not, in and of itself, indicate a requirementthat the steps be performed in that order. The steps of describedprocesses may be performed in any order practical. Further, some stepsmay be performed simultaneously despite being described or implied asoccurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described afterthe other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by itsdepiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process isexclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not implythat the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to one ormore of the invention(s), and does not imply that the illustratedprocess is preferred. Also, steps are generally described once perembodiment, but this does not mean they must occur once, or that theymay only occur once each time a process, method, or algorithm is carriedout or executed. Some steps may be omitted in some embodiments or someoccurrences, or some steps may be executed more than once in a givenembodiment or occurrence.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readilyapparent that more than one device or article may be used in place of asingle device or article. Similarly, where more than one device orarticle is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a singledevice or article may be used in place of the more than one device orarticle. When a single computer and/or processor is described herein, itwill be readily apparent that more than one computer and/or processor,for example, a plurality of network-connected computer and/or aplurality of processors within a single computer may be used in place ofa single computer. Similarly, where more than one computer and/orprocessor is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a singlecomputer and/or processor may be used in place of the more than onedevice or article. Functions performed by one computer may be performedby another in different, or the same, embodiment.

The functionality or the features of a device may be alternativelyembodied by one or more other devices that are not explicitly describedas having such functionality or features. Thus, other embodiments of oneor more of the inventions need not include the device itself.

Techniques and mechanisms described or referenced herein will sometimesbe described in singular form for clarity. However, it should beappreciated that particular embodiments may include multiple iterationsof a technique or multiple instantiations of a mechanism unless notedotherwise. Process descriptions or blocks in figures should beunderstood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code whichinclude one or more executable instructions for implementing specificlogical functions or steps in the process. Alternate implementations areincluded within the scope of embodiments of the present invention inwhich, for example, functions may be executed out of order from thatshown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverseorder, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understoodby those having ordinary skill in the art.

Hardware Architecture

Generally, the techniques disclosed herein may be implemented onhardware or a combination of software and hardware. For example, theymay be implemented in an operating system kernel, in a separate userprocess, in a library package bound into network applications, on aspecially constructed machine, on an application-specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), or on a network interface card.

Software/hardware hybrid implementations of at least some of theembodiments disclosed herein may be implemented on a programmablenetwork-resident machine (which should be understood to includeintermittently connected network-aware machines) selectively activatedor reconfigured by a computer program stored in memory. Such networkdevices may have multiple network interfaces that may be configured ordesigned to utilize different types of network communication protocols.A general architecture for some of these machines may be describedherein in order to illustrate one or more exemplary means by which agiven unit of functionality may be implemented. According to specificembodiments, at least some of the features or functionalities of thevarious embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented on one or moregeneral-purpose computers associated with one or more networks, such asfor example an end-user computer system, a client computer, a networkserver or other server system, a mobile computing device (e.g., tabletcomputing device, mobile phone, smartphone, laptop, or other appropriatecomputing device), a consumer electronic device, a music player, or anyother suitable electronic device, router, switch, or other suitabledevice, or any combination thereof. In at least some embodiments, atleast some of the features or functionalities of the various embodimentsdisclosed herein may be implemented in one or more virtualized computingenvironments (e.g., network computing clouds, virtual machines hosted onone or more physical computing machines, or other appropriate virtualenvironments).

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram depicting anexemplary computing device 100 suitable for implementing at least aportion of the features or functionalities disclosed herein. Computingdevice 100 may be, for example, any one of the computing machines listedin the previous paragraph, or indeed any other electronic device capableof executing software- or hardware-based instructions according to oneor more programs stored in memory. Computing device 100 may be adaptedto communicate with a plurality of other computing devices, such asclients or servers, over communications networks such as a wide areanetwork a metropolitan area network, a local area network, a wirelessnetwork, the Internet, or any other network, using known protocols forsuch communication, whether wireless or wired.

In one embodiment, computing device 100 comprises one or more centralprocessing units (CPU) 102, one or more interfaces 110, and one or morebusses 106 (such as a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus). Whenacting under the control of appropriate software or firmware, CPU 102may be responsible for implementing specific functions associated withthe functions of a specifically configured computing device or machine.For example, in at least one embodiment, a computing device 100 may beconfigured or designed to function as a server system utilizing CPU 102,local memory 101 and/or remote memory 120, and interface(s) 110. In atleast one embodiment, CPU 102 may be caused to perform one or more ofthe different types of functions and/or operations under the control ofsoftware modules or components, which for example, may include anoperating system and any appropriate applications software, drivers, andthe like.

CPU 102 may include one or more processors 103 such as, for example, aprocessor from one of the Intel, ARM, Qualcomm, and AMD families ofmicroprocessors. In some embodiments, processors 103 may includespecially designed hardware such as application-specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories(EEPROMs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and so forth, forcontrolling operations of computing device 100. In a specificembodiment, a local memory 101 (such as non-volatile random-accessmemory (RAM) and/or read-only memory (ROM), including for example one ormore levels of cached memory) may also form part of CPU 102. However,there are many different ways in which memory may be coupled to system100. Memory 101 may be used for a variety of purposes such as, forexample, caching and/or storing data, programming instructions, and thelike. It should be further appreciated that CPU 102 may be one of avariety of system-on-a-chip (SOC) type hardware that may includeadditional hardware such as memory or graphics processing chips, such asa Qualcomm SNAPDRAGON™ or Samsung EXYNOS™ CPU as are becomingincreasingly common in the art, such as for use in mobile devices orintegrated devices.

As used herein, the term “processor” is not limited merely to thoseintegrated circuits referred to in the art as a processor, a mobileprocessor, or a microprocessor, but broadly refers to a microcontroller,a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller, anapplication-specific integrated circuit, and any other programmablecircuit.

In one embodiment, interfaces 110 are provided as network interfacecards (NICs). Generally, NICs control the sending and receiving of datapackets over a computer network; other types of interfaces 110 may forexample support other peripherals used with computing device 100. Amongthe interfaces that may be provided are Ethernet interfaces, frame relayinterfaces, cable interfaces, DSL interfaces, token ring interfaces,graphics interfaces, and the like. In addition, various types ofinterfaces may be provided such as, for example, universal serial bus(USB), Serial, Ethernet, FIREWIRE™, THUNDERBOLT™, PCI, parallel, radiofrequency (RF), BLUETOOTH™, near-field communications (e.g., usingnear-field magnetics), 802.11 (Wi-Fi), frame relay, TCP/IP, ISDN, fastEthernet interfaces, Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, Serial ATA (SATA) orexternal SATA (ESATA) interfaces, high-definition multimedia interface(HDMI), digital visual interface (DVI), analog or digital audiointerfaces, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) interfaces, high-speedserial interface (HSSI) interfaces, Point of Sale (POS) interfaces,fiber data distributed interfaces (FDDIs), and the like. Generally, suchinterfaces 110 may include physical ports appropriate for communicationwith appropriate media. In some cases, they may also include anindependent processor (such as a dedicated audio or video processor, asis common in the art for high-fidelity A/V hardware interfaces) and, insome instances, volatile and/or non-volatile memory (e.g., RAM).

Although the system shown in FIG. 1 illustrates one specificarchitecture for a computing device 100 for implementing one or more ofthe inventions described herein, it is by no means the only devicearchitecture on which at least a portion of the features and techniquesdescribed herein may be implemented. For example, architectures havingone or any number of processors 103 may be used, and such processors 103may be present in a single device or distributed among any number ofdevices. In one embodiment, a single processor 103 handlescommunications as well as routing computations, while in otherembodiments a separate dedicated communications processor may beprovided. In various embodiments, different types of features orfunctionalities may be implemented in a system according to theinvention that comprises a client device (such as a tablet device orsmartphone running client software) and server systems (such as a serversystem described in more detail below).

Regardless of network device configuration, the system of the presentinvention may employ one or more memories or memory modules (such as,for example, remote memory block 120 and local memory 101) configured tostore data, program instructions for the general-purpose networkoperations, or other information relating to the functionality of theembodiments described herein (or any combinations of the above). Programinstructions may control execution of or comprise an operating systemand/or one or more applications, for example. Memory 120 or memories101, 120 may also be configured to store data structures, configurationdata, encryption data, historical system operations information, or anyother specific or generic non-program information described herein.

Because such information and program instructions may be employed toimplement one or more systems or methods described herein, at least somenetwork device embodiments may include nontransitory machine-readablestorage media, which, for example, may be configured or designed tostore program instructions, state information, and the like forperforming various operations described herein. Examples of suchnontransitory machine-readable storage media include, but are notlimited to, magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, andmagnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROM disks; magneto-optical mediasuch as optical disks, and hardware devices that are speciallyconfigured to store and perform program instructions, such as read-onlymemory devices (ROM), flash memory (as is common in mobile devices andintegrated systems), solid state drives (SSD) and “hybrid SSD” storagedrives that may combine physical components of solid state and hard diskdrives in a single hardware device (as are becoming increasingly commonin the art with regard to personal computers), memristor memory, randomaccess memory (RAM), and the like. It should be appreciated that suchstorage means may be integral and non-removable (such as RAM hardwaremodules that may be soldered onto a motherboard or otherwise integratedinto an electronic device), or they may be removable such as swappableflash memory modules (such as “thumb drives” or other removable mediadesigned for rapidly exchanging physical storage devices),“hot-swappable” hard disk drives or solid state drives, removableoptical storage discs, or other such removable media, and that suchintegral and removable storage media may be utilized interchangeably.Examples of program instructions include both object code, such as maybe produced by a compiler, machine code, such as may be produced by anassembler or a linker, byte code, such as may be generated by forexample a Java™ compiler and may be executed using a Java virtualmachine or equivalent, or files containing higher level code that may beexecuted by the computer using an interpreter (for example, scriptswritten in Python, Perl, Ruby, Groovy, or any other scripting language).

In some embodiments, systems according to the present invention may beimplemented on a standalone computing system. Referring now to FIG. 2,there is shown a block diagram depicting a typical exemplaryarchitecture of one or more embodiments or components thereof on astandalone computing system. Computing device 200 comprises processors210 that may run software that carry out one or more functions orapplications of embodiments of the invention, such as for example aclient application 230. Processors 210 may carry out computinginstructions under control of an operating system 220 such as, forexample, a version of Microsoft's WINDOWS™ operating system, Apple's MacOS/X or iOS operating systems, some variety of the Linux operatingsystem, Google's ANDROID™ operating system, or the like. In many cases,one or more shared services 225 may be operable in system 200 and may beuseful for providing common services to client applications 230.Services 225 may for example be WINDOWS™ services, user-space commonservices in a Linux environment, or any other type of common servicearchitecture used with operating system 210. Input devices 270 may be ofany type suitable for receiving user input, including for example akeyboard, touchscreen, microphone (for example, for voice input), mouse,touchpad, trackball, or any combination thereof. Output devices 260 maybe of any type suitable for providing output to one or more users,whether remote or local to system 200, and may include for example oneor more screens for visual output, speakers, printers, or anycombination thereof. Memory 240 may be random-access memory having anystructure and architecture known in the art, for use by processors 210,for example to run software. Storage devices 250 may be any magnetic,optical, mechanical, memristor, or electrical storage device for storageof data in digital form (such as those described above, referring toFIG. 1). Examples of storage devices 250 include flash memory, magnetichard drive, CD-ROM, and/or the like.

In some embodiments, systems of the present invention may be implementedon a distributed computing network, such as one having any number ofclients and/or servers. Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a blockdiagram depicting an exemplary architecture 300 for implementing atleast a portion of a system according to an embodiment of the inventionon a distributed computing network. According to the embodiment, anynumber of clients 330 may be provided. Each client 330 may run softwarefor implementing client-side portions of the present invention; clientsmay comprise a system 200 such as that illustrated in FIG. 2. Inaddition, any number of servers 320 may be provided for handlingrequests received from one or more clients 330. Clients 330 and servers320 may communicate with one another via one or more electronic networks310, which may be in various embodiments any of the Internet, a widearea network, a mobile telephony network (such as CDMA or GSM cellularnetworks), a wireless network (such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX, LTE, and so forth),or a local area network (or indeed any network topology known in theart; the invention does not prefer any one network topology over anyother). Networks 310 may be implemented using any known networkprotocols, including for example wired and/or wireless protocols.

In addition, in some embodiments, servers 320 may call external services370 when needed to obtain additional information, or to refer toadditional data concerning a particular call. Communications withexternal services 370 may take place, for example, via one or morenetworks 310. In various embodiments, external services 370 may compriseweb-enabled services or functionality related to or installed on thehardware device itself. For example, in an embodiment where clientapplications 230 are implemented on a smartphone or other electronicdevice, client applications 230 may obtain information stored in aserver system 320 in the cloud or on an external service 370 deployed onone or more of a particular enterprise's or user's premises.

In some embodiments of the invention, clients 330 or servers 320 (orboth) may make use of one or more specialized services or appliancesthat may be deployed locally or remotely across one or more networks310. For example, one or more databases 340 may be used or referred toby one or more embodiments of the invention. It should be understood byone having ordinary skill in the art that databases 340 may be arrangedin a wide variety of architectures and using a wide variety of dataaccess and manipulation means. For example, in various embodiments oneor more databases 340 may comprise a relational database system using astructured query language (SQL), while others may comprise analternative data storage technology such as those referred to in the artas “NoSQL” (for example, Hadoop Cassandra, Google BigTable, and soforth). In some embodiments, variant database architectures such ascolumn-oriented databases, in-memory databases, clustered databases,distributed databases, or even flat file data repositories may be usedaccording to the invention. It will be appreciated by one havingordinary skill in the art that any combination of known or futuredatabase technologies may be used as appropriate, unless a specificdatabase technology or a specific arrangement of components is specifiedfor a particular embodiment herein. Moreover, it should be appreciatedthat the term “database” as used herein may refer to a physical databasemachine, a cluster of machines acting as a single database system, or alogical database within an overall database management system. Unless aspecific meaning is specified for a given use of the term “database”, itshould be construed to mean any of these senses of the word, all ofwhich are understood as a plain meaning of the term “database” by thosehaving ordinary skill in the art.

Similarly, most embodiments of the invention may make use of one or moresecurity systems 360 and configuration systems 350. Security andconfiguration management are common information technology (IT) and webfunctions, and some amount of each are generally associated with any ITor web systems. It should be understood by one having ordinary skill inthe art that any configuration or security subsystems known in the artnow or in the future may be used in conjunction with embodiments of theinvention without limitation, unless a specific security 360 orconfiguration system 350 or approach is specifically required by thedescription of any specific embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary overview of a computer system 400 as may beused in any of the various locations throughout the system. It isexemplary of any computer that may execute code to process data. Variousmodifications and changes may be made to computer system 400 withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the system and methoddisclosed herein. CPU 401 is connected to bus 402, to which bus is alsoconnected memory 403, nonvolatile memory 404, display 407, I/O unit 408,and network interface card (NIC) 413. I/O unit 408 may, typically, beconnected to keyboard 409, pointing device 410, hard disk 412, andreal-time clock 411. NIC 413 connects to network 414, which may be theInternet or a local network, which local network may or may not haveconnections to the Internet. Also shown as part of system 400 is powersupply unit 405 connected, in this example, to ac supply 406. Not shownare batteries that could be present, and many other devices andmodifications that are well known but are not applicable to the specificnovel functions of the current system and method disclosed herein. Itshould be appreciated that some or all components illustrated may becombined, such as in various integrated applications (for example,Qualcomm or Samsung SOC-based devices), or whenever it may beappropriate to combine multiple capabilities or functions into a singlehardware device (for instance, in mobile devices such as smartphones,video game consoles, in-vehicle computer systems such as navigation ormultimedia systems in automobiles, or other integrated hardwaredevices).

Conceptual Architecture

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary conceptualarchitecture of an alignment adjustment system, according to a preferredembodiment of the invention. According to the embodiment, alignmentadjustment system 500 comprises alignment adjustment computer 501comprising a plurality of components each comprising at least aplurality of programming instructions, the programming instructionsstored in memory 240 that when executed by one or more processors 210,cause one or more processor 210 to perform operations disclosed herein.Functions described by system 500 may be on one processing platform orcomputer or may be distributed across a plurality of computing platformsand/or processors.

In an embodiment, alignment adjustment computer 501 may comprise,position controller 504, interlocker 506, position calculator 505,border detection module 507, user interface 511, and database 509.Further, alignment adjustment computer 501 may communicate with detector520 (also herein referred to as detector 147 referring to FIG. 12B),portable radiation source 530 (also referred to herein as radiationsource 18), one or more user devices 510, collimator 538, and collimatorcomputer 531, via network 310. Further, collimator computer 531 maycomprise shutter controller 532, IMU 535, communication module 533, SODdevice 536, display 534, and camera 537.

In a preferred embodiment, portable detector 520 comprises a surface toconvert radiation striking the detector 520 from radiation source 530 tolight photons. The detector is divided into an array of discrete pictureelements or pixels to encode output signals based upon the quantity orintensity of the radiation impacting each pixel region. Because theradiation intensity is altered as the radiation passes through thesubject, images may be reconstructed based upon the output signals toprovide a projection of tissues and other features similar to thoseavailable through conventional photographic film techniques.

In use, the signals generated at pixel locations of the detector 520 aredigitized. The digital values are transmitted to processing circuitrywhere they are filtered, scaled, and further processed to produce animage data set. The data set may then be used to reconstruct a resultingimage and the image may be displayed on an output device.

In a preferred embodiments, collimator 538 comprises a device thatadjusts a beam size to a desired size for imaging a desired area througha collimated area created by shutter positions. Collimator 538 maypreferably comprise collimator shutter blades 1101-1104 (referring toFIG. 11A). Collimator shutter blades 1101-1104 function as part of thecollimator 538 as an aperture to allow narrowing and directionallycontrol radiation beams for imaging purposes defining the collimatedarea. Though only four shutters are shown in the exemplary embodiment,any number of collimator shutters may be used, for example, overlappingleaves.

In some embodiments, a collimator hole in shutter blades comprises anembodiment where the collimator may have holes in the shutter bladesthat may be a source of alignment radiation beams (that is, an intensityof radiation used to measure alignment). In a preferred embodiment, anincomplete closure of the collimator shutter blades 1101-1104 comprise acollimated area. In some embodiments, a positioning aperture platecomprises one or more configurable plates to limit most or all exitradiation from the radiation source, except for those through alignmentbeam holes to generate a radiation alignment radiation beams, or anyobject placed between the radiation source and the portable detector toperform an alignment exposure. In some embodiments, a low dose systemmay comprise an embodiment where radiation beams are created by aportable radiation system capable of emitting a low dose alignmentradiation beams.

During calibration of system 500 radiation source 530 may be placedwithin a known acceptable spatial distance of a portable detector 520for calibration. Radiation beams are released towards the portabledetector 520 at the acceptable or preconfigured distance to establish areference image to be used in future processes for calculating sourceimage distance (SID), skew and rotation. it should be appreciated by onewith ordinary skill in the art that by capturing a reference image,while calibrating, with known detector sizes, known distances (forexample, during initial setup of system 500), then when future imagesare captured by portable detector 520 (for example, in a diagnosticimaging environment such as a treatment room), the subsequent imageswill be usable by the computer to compare images to determine alignment,skew, rotation, and the like. The radiation beams may comprise radiationthat is emitted through an aperture created by shutter blades 1101-1104for calibration. In some embodiments, a calibration image is thencreated with a portable detector 520. The calibration image can then beused to determine a size of an examination area, a skewed or rotatedposition of portable detector 520, relative to the calibration image orwithin a predetermined tolerance for subsequent radiation procedures.Further by using preconfigured calibration data, a calculation ofvirtual border representation, by collimator computer 531.

In a preferred embodiment, database 509 comprises data structures andsystems to hold information for configuring system 500 including, butnot limited to, patient profile, patient attributes such as dimension,weight, etc., reference image data, information received by a user suchas selecting and/or configuring one or more sizes of one or moredetectors. System 500 may use information from database 509 (forexample, a preconfigured portable detector size), to programmaticallycompute a virtual border (for example 802 referring to FIG. 8B) storedin the computer memory that represents borders around a detector. Itshould be noted that even though the term patient is used herein, anyobject can be used for radiation procedures.

In operation, camera 537 may be installed on, within, or in closeproximity to collimator 538. In an embodiment, camera 537 may transmit aplurality of images or video to user interface 511, that is, real-timeand live video images of a patient as seen from the perspective ofcollimator 538, a FOV of the patient as the calculated active area ofthe detector, or other images. Further, camera 537 may also provide ashaded, blurred, hash or any other pattern on the video images as meansto view a specific area within a video or still image, for example, theshaded area representing a perspective of collimator 538 comprising anarea for fluoroscopic and/or radiographic imaging and present the shadedarea to display 511. The patterned art of the video image may clearlydefine a size and a location of one or more radiation beams, as would bereceived from detector 530 during a procedure. According to theembodiment, collimator 538 may further consist of a distance measuringdevice, represented by SOD device 536, to accurately measure a distancebetween collimator 538 and the patient. For example, SOD device 536 maycomprise of a laser device or ultrasound measuring device.

In some embodiments, collimator computer 531 may receive the videoimages from camera 537 and apply video cropping and trimming proceduresto the video images, for example, as defined by user interface 511 usinggestures, as is known in the art, to define the shaded area (or theentire image) by user gesture commands that may control a size,orientation, and position to establish positioning data. There are manytypes of gestures, from the simple single-touch swipe gesture,pinch-and-zoom gesture, to the more complex multi-touch twist gesture,where the touch points may move in different directions. This may beperformed to adjust an outer perimeter of the video images with respectto the size of detector 520, at a distance measured by SOD device 536.Further, collimator computer 531 may adjust the crop and trim of theshaded area within the video images, so that only the size and thelocation of a shutter aperture size of shutters 540 (that is, shutters1101-1104 referring to FIG. 11B), correspond to the shaded area. Onceestablished, positioning data may be sent to position controller 504.

In an embodiment, position controller 504 (or in some embodiments,display 511) may send positioning data to collimator computer 531, whichmay be used, by shutter controller 532, to adjust the shutter aperturesize. The shutter aperture size may then be adjusted by the one or moremotorized shutters 540 (also referred to herein as shutters 1101-1104referring to FIG. 11A). This may be done to ensure that the size andlocation of the shaded area within the video images may have a similarfield of view (FOV) as the shutter aperture, with respect to the videoimages from camera 537 with substantially the same size as the detector520. In one embodiment, the video images of the patient and shaded areawithin the video images may be displayed on display 511.

In some embodiments, collimator computer 531 may analyze each frame ofacquired image data to determine if an exposed area of detector 520activates one or more borders of detector 520 (i.e., a predefinedplurality of pixels are activated by radiation, for example, on one ormore outer edge of detector 520 as depicted by area 1201 referring toFIGS. 12B and 12C). If a border area is not activated by radiation, thenalignment adjustment computer 501 may continue with image acquisitionand the next frame of image may be acquired. However, if radiation is ina vicinity to (that is, approaching a border) or activates any of theone or more border pixels of detector 520, collimator computer 531 mayattempt to reposition the radiation beam towards the center of detector520 by moving one or more of shutters 540. Further, in case therepositioning of the radiation beam does not satisfy the borderinfringement, e.g., due to the mechanical limitations of the collimator538, a radiation exposure termination (also referred to herein asinterlock) command may be sent by collimator computer 531. Accordingly,interlocker 506 may engage a radiation interlock to stop radiation fromportable radiation source 530 and in some embodiments, an alert may besent to alignment adjustment computer 501, collimator computer 531, userdevice 510, or a combination thereof. Further, an error message may bedisplayed at user interface 511 comprising the last received frame ofthe image data. The error message may further contain instructions toreadjust the position of the portable radiation source 530 or detector520 and reattempt the alignment process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 6A a flow diagram illustrating a method for adjusting collimatorshutters, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.According to the embodiment, method 600 starts at step 601, whereincollimator 538 may be powered up. Accordingly, a first alignment processto align portable radiation source 530 and detector 520 may have beeninitiated. In a next step 608, collimator computer 531 may determine atype of exposure that is to be performed. In an embodiment, collimatorcomputer 531 may determine the type of exposure based on receiving inputfrom display 511 or from a network-connected workstation computer. Theselection obtained from user device 510, in an example, may be one of aradioscopic imaging process or a fluoroscopic imaging process.

Referring again to FIG. 6A, in case that it is determined that afluoroscopic imaging process has been selected, in a next step 602,communication module 533 may send an x-ray exposure interlock signal tointerlocker 506. In response to receiving the signal, interlocker 506may activate the x-ray exposure interlock to prevent diagnostic (orprocedure) radiation from radiation source 530. That is, alignment x-rayexposure may still be permitted. In a next step 603, shutter controller532 may adjust shutter aperture of shutters 540 of collimator 538. Theshutter aperture of shutters 540 may be adjusted to a predetermined sizeand to a center of collimator 538.

In a next step 604, interactive display 511 may display an image ofcalculated size of detector 520, and an image of the patient or objectbeing examined. Further, Interactive display 511 may also display ashaded area within the image, wherein the shaded area may represent asize and a location of a collimated area representing where radiationmay be received by a patient (that is, the object within the image). Forexample, area 811 referring to FIG. 8D, from portable radiation source530. In some embodiments, the shaded area within the image may representa size and a location of a collimated area representing where radiationmay be received by a previously aligned detector.

Referring again to FIG. 6A, in a next step 605, communication module 533may receive a signal from alignment adjustment computer 501, collimatorcomputer 531 (for example via interactive display 511, or user device510 indicative of initiation of an alignment x-ray exposure. In responseto receiving the signal, in a next step 606, position calculator 505 maycompute a location of radiation beam, received from portable radiationsource 530, and striking detector 520. Further, in a next step 607position calculator 505 may determine whether location of the radiationbeam is aligned to a center of detector 520.

In an embodiment, if a determination is made by position calculator 505that radiation beam is not aligned to the center of detector 520, in anext step 610, shutter controller 532 may readjust shutters 540, untilthe radiation beam is aligned to the center of detector 520. Otherwise,in a next step 609, shutter controller 532 may adjust the size ofshutters 540 such that collimated area of collimator 538 is set to asize of an anatomic region to be examined (for example, area 805referring to FIG. 8A). In a next step 611, interlocker 506 maydeactivate the x-ray interlock to allow radiation from radiation source530 to complete the x-ray procedure. Further, referring again to step608, if collimator computer 531 determines the type of exposure thatdetector 520 is exposed to as radiographic imaging, method 600 maycontinue to step 609, wherein shutter controller 532 may adjust theposition of shutters 540 such that collimated area of collimator 538 isset to a size of an anatomic region to be examined (for example, area805 referring to FIG. 8A).

In step 612, border detection module 507 may continuously monitor aborder condition whereby if a border 1201 or border 1204 (referring toFIGS. 12B and 12C) is activated, shutter controller 532 may again adjustthe position of shutters 540 such that radiation may no longer activateborder pixels within border 1201 (i.e. radiation is within area 1202).The border condition and detection are further described in FIG. 6B.

FIG. 6B illustrates an exemplary method for border detection fordetector 520, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of theinvention. According to the embodiment, at a first step 630, borderpixels for detector 520 are designated by position controller 504 by apre-configuration defining area 1201 (referring to FIG. 12B) or by aseparate border module 1204 (referring to FIG. 12C). In a next step 631,border detection module 507 may monitor one or more borders 1201 ofdetector 520. Further, in a next step 632, border detection module 507may determine whether radiation is detected at the one or more borders.In an embodiment, collimator computer 531 may analyze each frame ofimage data to determine if an exposed area of detector 520 activated anyborder pixels of the one or more borders (i.e., exposes a predefinedarea 1201 or 1204 of pixels on any outer edge of detector 520). In anembodiment where the detected radiation is such that the exposed areaoverlaps one or more borders of detector 520, in a next step 633, anx-ray exposure interlock is activated by interlocker 506. Otherwise,border detection module 507 may continue to monitor the one or moreborders of detector 520 during, for example, a fluoroscopic procedure.

Further, in the instance where detected radiation on the exposedradiation infringes upon one or more borders of detector 520, in a nextstep 635, shutter controller 532 may adjust shutters 540 in an attemptto correct the detected border infringement. Such an adjustment may becommunicated to position controller 504 which may adjust a position ofthe shaded area on interactive display 511, that is, position controller504 may continuously ensure, in an embodiment, that the collimated areaof collimator 538 shall always mirror the position represented by theshaded area within interactive display 511. In a next step, borderdetection module 507 may determine whether border infringement issatisfied. If border infringement is satisfied, a next frame ofradiation may be initiated by collimator computer 531. Otherwise,radiation exposure may be terminated in a next step 638.

In an embodiment, image acquisition remains enabled when borderinfringement is satisfied, and the next frame of x-ray exposure isacquired by collimator computer 531. However, if the exposed areaapproaches or activates pixels within any of the one or more borders ofdetector 520, position controller 504 may attempt to reposition theradiation beam towards a center position of detector 520. In case wherethe repositioning of the radiation beam does not satisfy the borderinfringement due to the mechanical limitations of collimator 538, then aradiation exposure termination command may be sent by alignmentadjustment computer 501 to collimator computer 531. In some embodiments,an override switch (not shown) may disable the border detection process612 at any time before, during or after a procedure.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for creating a referenceimage according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. According tothe embodiment, an x-ray system comprises a device used to generatex-rays used to acquire an x-ray image of an object that can also be canused for the common x-ray uses including sterilization, fluorescence,medical and diagnostic purposes. Typically, it would allow one to takeimages or video in a single, pulse, or continuous emission exposure frommany degrees of freedom for use with a portable detector 520.

A portable detector 520 may be a freely movable system may receivex-rays that converts X-ray photons received on its surface to lowerenergy photons, and subsequently to electric signals, which are acquiredand processed to reconstruct an image of features within a subject.

In some embodiments, a collimator may adjust a beam size to a desiredsize for imaging a desired area by narrowing radiation beam that canfunction to create an alignment beam aperture, and/or narrow the beamfor other imaging purposes

In some embodiments, one or more positioning plate between the portableradiation source and the portable detector system 520 may block mostradiation except for the positioning aperture which constrains the beamsto form an alignment beam.

In some embodiments herein termed the “collimator hole in shutterblades” embodiment, the “incomplete closed collimator” embodiment, the“positioning aperture plate” embodiment, and the “low dose system”embodiment wherein the “collimator hole in shutter blades” embodimentcomprises an embodiment where the collimator has holes in the shutterblades that are the source of the radiation alignment radiation beams,the “incomplete closed collimator” embodiment comprises an embodimentwhere the collimator does not have holes in the shutter blades, butrather generates an alignment radiation beams by having an incompleteclosure of the collimator shutter blades, the “positioning apertureplate” embodiment comprises one or more configurable plates that servesto limit most or all exit radiation from the radiation source, exceptfor those through the alignment beam holes, thereby generating aradiation alignment radiation beams, the “low dose system” comprises anembodiment where the alignment radiation beams are created by a portableradiation system capable of emitting a low dose alignment radiationbeam.

To create a reference or alignment image, the radiation source system isplaced within known acceptable spatial parameters of the portabledetector 520 in step 701 wherein the size of the portable detector 520is known as is the size of the maximum, minimum, and desired collimatedarea of the collimator. In a next step 702, alignment radiation beamsare then released through one or more positioning aperture used foraligning the portable radiation source and the portable detector 520.Upon the alignment beams striking the portable detector 520, in a nextstep, 703, a reference image is generated.

The reference image comprises an image, which may be radiographic orfluoroscopic, may be associated with other alignment information dataoperably connected to a computer and stored in memory in order todetermine alignment of detector 520 to x-ray source, e.g., at, forexample, the time of manufacture and assembly.

It should be appreciated that a reference image when used with aprocedure image may be used to facilitate calculations of source imagedistance (SID) and orientation of radiation source relative to detectorand may be used with subsequent imaging procedures to identifydifferences, sizes, distances, and the like. With system 500 recognizingSID and SOD, other calculations may be performed such as determiningobject thickness.

By using previously captured reference images, subsequent images withknown information (for example, size of detector), a virtual border 802may be programmatically calculated by border detection 507. A virtualborder may then be used to detect a border infringement condition.

In some embodiments, visual indicia may be displayed to notify a user,via interactive display 511 (referring to FIG. 5), that an area 805(referring to FIGS. 8B-8C) may be approaching a virtual border 802, forexample, by coloring an approached border on interactive display 511(i.e. display 801), playing a sound, or some other indicator.

FIGS. 8A-C illustrate exemplary detector surface configurations,according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. For thesake of brevity and conciseness, portable radiation source 530 is saidto be aligned with detector 520 when the radiation beam exposes aportion of detector 520 surface within a pre specified limit. However, aperson skilled in the art may recognize that several other portions ofdetector 520 surface may be considered as target for the radiation beamto satisfy one or more medical imaging needs.

As depicted in FIG. 8A, interactive display 511 may camera image 800,for example as captured by camera 1108 (referring to FIG. 11A) which maybe representative of an exemplary image of a patient undergoing animaging procedure. Camera images of the patient may be representative ofan active area of detector 520 when exposed to one or more radiationbeams received from portable radiation source 530. Further, in someembodiments, the camera images may further comprise of a shared,blurred, or other shaded area 805 within the camera images, that may beindicative of a specific anatomical part of the patient under study. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 8A, the camera image may show the patient'sface and the shaded area may concentrate on the buccal area 804 of thepatient. It should be noted that camera image 800 (that is, an imageobtained from camera 537) may coincide to a position and a usable areaof detector 520. The shaded area may coincide to the position andlocation of the radiation beam.

In an embodiment, resizing and movement of the shaded area may betransmitted by collimator computer 531 to move the collimator shuttersto pattern a collimated x-ray to corresponding location on detector 520.In some embodiments, interactive display may be a smartphone, mobiledevice, tablet device, PDA device, or any other device having aninteractive display. In a preferred embodiment, a user, such as anoperator or radiologist, may be able to readjust the shaded area overthe camera image. The shaded area may be readjusted using anyconventional technique, such as pinch-to-zoom, or other multi-touch orgesture-based techniques. directly to interactive display 511 wherebythe camera image 800 can be manipulated (for example, to resize area805.

FIG. 8B is another illustration depicted in FIG. 8A whereby a virtualborder area 802 is represented in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. In the given configuration, area 805 which representsa collimated area of collimator 538 lies within border area 802. In suchconfigurations whereby the collimated area is within the area defined byborder area 802, interlocker 506 may disengage interlock to allowradiation, by radiation source 530, to be targeted at detector 520. Insome embodiments, alignment adjustment computer 501 may transmit arepositioning signal to collimator computer 531 based on one or moreuser input received from interactive display 511 whereby area 805 may begraphically repositioned or resized by the user. In an example, therepositioning signal may include commands for collimator computer 531 tomodify aperture size via movements of collimator shutters, 540 andlocation for a collimated area of collimator 538. Further, collimatorcomputer 531, based on the received aperture size and location in therepositioning signal, may actuate shutters 540 to change the size andposition of the radiation beam striking surface of detector 520. Oncethe position of the radiation substantially matches a predeterminedposition, e.g., centered to detector surface, interlocker 506 maydisengage the interlock to allow radiation to strike detector 520 at thepredetermined position. In some embodiments, the aperture size andposition may be modified based on movement of shutters 540, and theradiation beam may now strike detector 520 surface in a position ofdetector 520 based on the collimated area associated to the shutterpositions.

FIG. 8C illustrates a border infringement condition in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. According to the embodiment,image 805, as seen by the FOV of camera 1102 (and, in turn, thecollimator assembly), may indicate that an activation of border pixelswithin border 802 may be present, or in some embodiments, activation, orproximity to a virtual border represented by borders 802. Accordingly,border detection procedure outlined in FIG. 6B would be followed. Itshould be noted that system 500 may function equally with a computervirtual border 802 or via receiving communication from portable detector520 indicating that pixels have been activated by radiation.

FIG. 9 is block diagram illustrating a system for mobile imaging,according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. According to theembodiment, a mobile radiation imaging system is presented, referencedgenerally by reference numeral 16. In the illustrated embodiment, themobile radiation imaging system 16 may be a digital radiation systemthat is designed both to acquire radiographic and/or fluoroscopic imagedata and to process the image data for display in accordance with thepresent techniques. In particular, system 16 is operable to produce bothradiographic images and/or fluoroscopic images.

In a preferred embodiment, mobile imaging system 16 generally comprisesa mobile cart having caster wheels 12, a portable radiation source 18,operatively attached to a manipulatable arm 17 and capable of moving inall degrees of freedom, and a portable flat-panel digital radiationdetector 22. Importantly, portable radiation source 18 is capable ofproducing both radiographic (via single radiation emissions) andfluoroscopic radiation images (via pulse or continuous radiationemissions). Detector 22 is capable of acquiring both radiographic (viasingle radiation emissions) and fluoroscopic radiation images (via pulseradiation emissions). Imaging system 16 also comprises a collimator 19positioned adjacent to the portable radiation source 18 which permits acontrolled stream of radiation 14 to pass into a region in which apatient 11 is positioned on table 2. An aperture ensures that the streamof radiation 14 is the correct size for the detector 22 furtherdescribed below. A portion of the radiation 14 passes through or aroundthe subject and impacts detector 22. The detector 22 converts photonsreceived from the radiation on a surface of detector 22 to lower energyphotons, and subsequently to electric signals, which are acquired andprocessed by the system computer to reconstruct an image of the featureswithin the subject.

As can be appreciated from FIG. 9, alignment between portable radiationsource 18 and detector 22 is of critical importance. If portableradiation source 18 and detector 22 are not aligned, the portion ofradiation 14 that passes through or around the subject cannot bereceived by detector 22, and an accurate image of the subject thereforecannot be obtained. Furthermore, even if detector 22 is directly in linewith portable radiation source 18, detector 22 must be oriented suchthat its plane is perpendicular to portable radiation source 18 forproper detection of radiation 14. In one embodiment, once the precisealignment is realized, interlock 20 may be disengaged, such that usermay proceed with the imaging procedure. Further, in case portableradiation source 18 misaligns with detector 22 (for example, byactivation a border condition), interlock 20 may again be activated anda signal to portable radiation source 18 may be transmitted to pausetransmission of radiation beams, thereby reducing the risk of overexposure of the subject to radiation.

In an operating configuration, the subject is positioned on table 2 andlocated between portable radiation source 18 and detector 22. Detector22 can be coupled via wirelessly or via data cable 24 to system computer35) which commands acquisition of the signals generated from detector22, although wireless communication between detector 22 and alignmentcomputer 35 is the more preferred method. As the detector receivesradiation 14 that may pass through the subject, imaging data istransmitted to system and alignment adjustment computer 35 (alsoreferred to herein as alignment adjustment system 501).

In most cases, system computer 35 may also execute various signalprocessing and filtration functions, such as for initial adjustment ofdynamic ranges, interleaving of digital image data, and so forth.Further, system computer 35 also enables a user to control the operationof mobile imaging system 16 to produce a desired image. Images processedby system computer 35 may be displayed on a monitor 15. Electrical powerfor portable radiation source 18, collimator 19, and detector 22 may beprovided by a conventional AC/DC power supply 25 that may be locatedwithin the cart, and which may be electrically connected to anyavailable power source.

Because movement of detector 22 is independent of portable radiationsource 18, it may be possible for radiation 14 to strike detector 22 atan angle or not centered to detector 22 producing inaccurate images ofthe subject. Further, alignment adjustment computer 35 may sendprocessed data pertaining to orientation and position of portableradiation source 18 to display 41. The data received by LCD display 41may visually display the orientation and location of detector 22 withrespect to portable radiation source 18.

Alignment between the portable radiation source 18 and the detector 22and size of stream of radiation 14 is of critical importance. If theportable radiation source 18 and the detector 22 are not aligned, aportion of the stream of radiation 14 may not pass through the patient11 at the intended position, orientation or angle, so the stream ofradiation 14 cannot be properly received by the detector 22, and anaccurate image of the patient 11 cannot be obtained. Furthermore, evenif detector 22 is directly in line with portable radiation source 18,detector 22 should be oriented such that its plane is perpendicular toportable radiation source 18 for proper detection of radiation 14. Inaddition, for fluoroscopic procedures, alignment and stream of radiation14 must conform to regulatory standards of alignment of the radiationstream size of portable radiation source 18 to detector 22. That is, ifportable radiation source 18 is not within the alignment tolerance, orstream of radiation 14 is not of the proper size, mobile imaging system16 must inhibit portable radiation source 18 from producing radiation14. The tolerances may vary but will typically be 2% of the distancebetween portable radiation source 18 and detector 22 (given by sourceimage distance, SID). The predetermined alignment conditions of thisinvention also may vary, but typically in the United States, forexample, will be one or more of SID is usually set at 40 inches, (40inches×0.2=0.8 inches total), i.e., portable radiation source 18 anddetector 22 cannot be more than 0.4 inches off the center axis.

Alignment of a portable radiation source and a portable detector areoutlined in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,788,810, 9,693,746, and 10,918,347 whichare hereby incorporated by reference.

FIG. 10 illustrates a conventional light source and mirror arrangementfor imaging, in accordance with systems known in the art. Currentconventional collimators provide a high intensity light source 1007 anda mirror 1005 in order to comply with FDA requirements. The conventionallight source and mirror arrangement may further include an upper set ofdiaphragms, as represented by diaphragm 1004 and a lower set ofdiaphragms, as represented by diaphragm 1006.

Further, one or more control knobs, represented by control knob 1002 mayalso be provided in order to control the upper diaphragms 1004 and lowerdiaphragms 1006. In general, such control knobs 1002 may be used to openand close the set of diaphragms 1004, 1006, in order to set a path forradiation beams that are received from x-ray source 1001 during animaging process. Furthermore, a light switch 1003 may also be providedto control the workings of high intensity light source 1007.

As shown in FIG. 10 light from high intensity light source 1007 isreflected by mirror 1005 through collimator shutter aperture (not shown)as represented by the set of dotted arrows. The reflected light mayproject a light field representative of the size and location 1008 ofthe radiation beam on the patient or object, as shown in the figure.

Disadvantages of a light source and mirror assembly, such as thatdescribed in FIG. 10 may include increase in size and weight of thecollimator. Such an increase in the weight of the collimator may beundesirable for use with mobile of portable imaging systems. Further,the high intensity light source 1007 commonly used must be compliantwith FDA regulations, especially FDA CFR 1020 (2) (ii), that states,“when a light localizer is used to define the x-ray field, it shallprovide an average illuminance of not less than 160 lux (15 footcandles) at 100 centimeters or at the maximum SID, whichever is less”.This is especially disadvantageous when the imaging procedure consistsof pediatric or neonatal patients, due to a possibility of highintensity light directed into the patient eyes causing discomfort and/orinjury. Further, the light source mirror assembly does not projectprecisely define light field edges on the patient or object, making itdifficult for a user to precisely adjust the radiation beam size andlocation for the anatomic region being examined. Accordingly,visualizing the light field, by a user, would be especially problematicin bright lighted locations.

FIG. 11A is an illustration of a motorized radiation beam collimator,according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. According to theembodiment motorized collimator 100 comprises one or more shutters 1101,1102, 1103, and 1104 (collectively referred to as shutters 540) formingan aperture in the middle; camera 1108; an x-ray source to object(patient) measuring device 1106 to measure source to object distance(SOD); IMU 1105 may comprise one or more devices to measure tilt,angulation, rotation, etc.

Metallic barrier cone 1107 may be used to diverge and limit radiationbeams from a point source associated to radiation source 530 to thecalculated size of the detector active area. Advantageously a cone shapefor metallic barrier cone reducing a volume of irradiated to the size ofthe detector. Further, but not requiring a metallic housing for lightsource and mirror arrangement (as is required in systems known in theart), weight of the head unit is advantageously decreased resulting in aportable radiation system with a lower weight, lower center of gravity,and more portability.

FIG. 11B is an illustration of a motorized radiation beam collimator,according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. According to theembodiment, a motorized radiation source beam collimator comprises fourindependents internal shutters that are independently adjustable viafour independent motors 1109, 1110, 1112 and 1113 operable to shapebeams of radiation emerging from a radiation source to adjust field sizeand position of a beam, via variable positions of one or more shutters1101, 1102, 1103, and 1104 (collectively referred to as shutters 540).The motors, in communication with the collimator computer 531, may beautomatically adjusted to move one or more shutters 540 to only allow asmall alignment radiation beam to strike the detector 520 pixels throughaperture 1111, the collimator computer 531 comprising a memory, aprocessor, and a plurality of programming instructions, the plurality ofprogramming instructions when executed by the processor cause theprocessor to establish communication with the detector comprising apixel grid pattern of a location of a plurality of pixels, thecollimator computer 531 may calculate a position of the radiation sourcerelative to the detector from data receive from the detector pertainingto the locations of at least a portion of the pixels that are activated,on detector 520, by a quantity or an intensity of alignment radiationbeams from the radiation source. The independent movement of the one ormore collimator shutters 540 allow the collimator computer 531 tomaintain an alignment of the radiation beam to the detector. In thisregard, shutters 540 and collimator computer 531 may realign theradiation beam upon the radiation source no longer being aligned to thedetector due to, for example, intended or untended movement of theradiation source or portable detector. Accordingly, collimator computer531 may adjust the independent shutter to realign the radiation beam todetector 520, via motors 1109, 1110, 1112 and 1113. Alignment computer531 may further alert an operator via alignment adjustment computer 501or via user device 510, that an imaging area is approaching thedetectors outer border due to the size of the image or movement of theradiation source and/or detector. The collimator computer 531 may thenreadjust, via motors 1109, 1110, 1112 and 1113, the image size orrealign the image to the center of the detector.

FIGS. 11C and 11D are illustrations of a collimator cone according tosome embodiments of the invention. According to the embodiments, cone1107 may comprise movable plates 1120, 1121, 1122, and 1123 wherebymovements of the plates may be performed by one or more motors (notshown) in a similar fashion using the same systems and methods disclosedherein to move shutters 1101, 1102, 1103, 1104 to control the size,shape and amount of radiation through an aperture between movable plates1120, 1121, 1122, and 1123. It should be appreciated that movable plates1120, 1121, 1122, and 1123 are operable to manipulate radiation in thesame, or similar, fashion as described in FIG. 11B.

FIG. 12A is a block diagram illustrating portable detector 520,according to an embodiment of the invention. According to theembodiment, freely movable detector 520 receives x-ray photons onsurface 1202 and may convert them to lower energy photons, andsubsequently to electric signals, which are acquired and processed toreconstruct an image of the features within the patient. The image maythen be communicated to a computer via a communication module.

FIG. 12B is a block diagram illustrating portable detector 520comprising an area designated as a border detection area. According tothe embodiment, area 1201 comprises a subsection of area 1202 that maybe preconfigured to identify when radiation has activated pixels withinarea 1201. Accordingly, steps may be taken to notify a computer thatpixels were activated signaling a border infringement condition.

FIG. 12C is a block diagram illustrating portable detector 520comprising an area designated as a border detection area that is aseparate component of detector 1202. According to the embodiment,component 1204 may be a separate device operable to detect radiation inorder to communicate a border infringement condition.

All references cited in this specification are herein incorporated byreference as though each reference was specifically and individuallyindicated to be incorporated by reference. The citation of any referenceis for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not beconstrued as an admission that the present invention is not entitled toantedate such reference by virtue of prior invention.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together may also find a useful application in other types ofmethods differing from the type described above. Without furtheranalysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the presentinvention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adaptit for various applications without omitting features that, from thestandpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics ofthe generic or specific aspects of this invention set forth in theappended claims. The foregoing embodiments are presented by way ofexample only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited onlyby the following claims.

The skilled person will be aware of a range of possible modifications ofthe various embodiments described above. Accordingly, the presentinvention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

1. A collimator adjustment system for fluoroscopic procedures,comprising: a collimator comprising a plurality of motorized shutters,the collimator communicatively connected to a network connectedalignment adjustment computer, the plurality of motorized shutterscontrollable via the network; the network-connected alignment adjustmentcomputer comprising a processor, an interactive display, a camera, amemory, and a plurality of programming instructions, the plurality ofprogramming instructions when executed by the processor cause theprocessor to: initialize the plurality of motorized shutters to apredetermined location; initialize the plurality of motorized shuttersto establish a collimated area to a predetermined size; receive an imagefrom the camera; display the image on the interactive display, the imagecorresponding to a size of a preconfigured portable detector, the imagecomprising a shaded area, the shaded area corresponding to thecollimated area of the collimator; recursively receive one or moreadjustments from the interactive display, the adjustments correspondingto a change in size of the shaded area or a change in position of theshaded area, or both; upon the location represented by the collimatedarea not being aligned to a location represented by the shaded area,adjust the collimated area by readjusting the plurality of shutters tocorrespond the location represented by the shaded area; upon the size ofthe collimated area not corresponding to a size represented by theshaded area, adjust the size of the collimated area by readjusting theplurality of shutters to correspond to the size represented by theshaded area.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofprogramming instructions when further executed by the processor causethe processor to: communicatively connect to the portable detector;continuously monitor a border infringement condition, the borderinfringement condition determined by activation, by a radiation source,of at least a portion of a plurality of border pixels, the at least aportion of the plurality border pixels comprising a predefined pluralityof pixels comprised within the portable detector; wherein each pixel ofthe plurality of pixels is operable to be activated by an intensity ofradiation from the radiation source.
 3. The system of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of programming instructions when further executed by theprocessor cause the processor to: upon the location represented by theshaded area overlapping a previously configured virtual border,establish a border infringement condition.
 4. The system of claim 2,wherein the plurality of programming instructions when further executedby the processor cause the processor to: upon the border infringementcondition being established, activate the exposure interlock to preventdiagnostic radiation.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein characteristicsof the preconfigured portable detector are received from a database, thecharacteristics comprising, at least, the size of the portable detector.6. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable detector was previouslyaligned to the collimator.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein thepreviously configured virtual border is calculated based on the size ofthe portable detector, the previously configured virtual borderrepresenting an area substantially around an area representing aperimeter of the portable detector.
 8. A method for adjusting acollimator for fluoroscopic procedures, comprising the steps of:communicatively connecting, by an alignment adjustment computer, to acollimator over a network, the collimator comprising motorized shutterscontrollable via the network; initializing, by the alignment adjustmentcomputer, the plurality of motorized shutters to a predeterminedlocation; initializing, by the alignment adjustment computer, theplurality of motorized shutters to establish a collimated area to apredetermined size; receiving, by the alignment adjustment computer, animage from the camera; displaying, by the alignment adjustment computer,the image on an interactive display, the image corresponding to a sizeof a preconfigured portable detector, the image comprising a shadedarea, the shaded area corresponding to the collimated area of thecollimator; recursively receive one or more adjustments from theinteractive display, the adjustments corresponding to a change in sizeof the shaded area or a change in position of the shaded area, or both;upon the location represented by the collimated area not being alignedto a location represented by the shaded area, adjust the collimated areaby readjusting the plurality of shutters to correspond the locationrepresented by the shaded area; upon the size of the collimated area notcorresponding to a size represented by the shaded area, adjust the sizeof the collimated area by readjusting the plurality of shutters tocorrespond to the size represented by the shaded area.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising the steps of: communicatively connecting tothe portable detector; continuously monitoring a border infringementcondition, the border infringement condition determined by activation,by a radiation source, of at least a portion of a plurality of borderpixels, the at least a portion of the plurality border pixels comprisinga predefined plurality of pixels comprised within the portable detector;wherein each pixel of the plurality of pixels is operable to beactivated by an intensity of radiation from the radiation source. 10.The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of: upon thelocation represented by the shaded area overlapping a previouslyconfigured virtual border, establish a border infringement condition.11. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of programminginstructions when further executed by the processor cause the processorto: upon the border infringement condition being established, activatethe exposure interlock to prevent diagnostic radiation.
 12. The methodof claim 8, wherein characteristics of the preconfigured portabledetector are received from a database, the characteristics comprising,at least, the size of the portable detector.
 13. The method of claim 8,wherein the portable detector was previously aligned to the collimator.14. The method of claim 13, wherein the previously configured virtualborder is calculated based on the size of the portable detector, thepreviously configured virtual border representing an area substantiallyaround an area representing a perimeter of the portable detector. 15.The system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of programming instructionswhen further executed by the processor cause the processor to: upon theborder infringement condition being established, activate the exposureinterlock to prevent diagnostic radiation.
 16. The method of claim 10,wherein the plurality of programming instructions when further executedby the processor cause the processor to: upon the border infringementcondition being established, activate the exposure interlock to preventdiagnostic radiation.